Low windload phasing structure

The present invention relates in general to reflecting and focusing electromagnetic radiation, and more particularly to a low-windload phasing structure configured to electromagnetically emulate a desired reflective surface of selected geometry over an operating frequency band.

In modern antenna and communication systems, reflective surfaces have been designed with specific geometries for reflecting microwaves within a operating frequency band. Similarly, substantially planar surfaces have been utilized to reflect incident electromagnetic waves within a operating frequency band.

The use of a substantially planar microwave reflector antenna configuration to emulate a curved reflective surfaces of any geometry, has been suggested. U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,014 issued to Gonzalez et al., Feb. 27, 1990, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference, teaches a phasing structure emulating desired reflective surfaces regardless of the geometry of the physical surfaces to which the microwave phasing structure is made to conform, wherein the structure may be fabricated as a fraction of the wavelength of the operating frequency of the phasing surface. The aforementioned technology, marketed as Flat Parabolic Surface (FLAPS™) technology accomplishes the aforementioned function using a dipole antenna placed in front of a solid metallic ground plane. However, such phasing structures are highly undesirable for low-windload applications due to high wind resistance of the structure.

A low-windload structure has been suggested to provide another version of FLAPS technology. U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,457, issued to Walker et al., Mar. 6, 2001, teaches a low-windload phasing structure including FLAPS technology, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference. However, the low-windload version as taught may incur losses in performance due to arrangement of the low-windload structure. Leakage levels of such an arrangement may be unacceptable. Further, losses in performance may be caused by weather (i.e., rain) loading the structure with water, reducing the response of the structure.

While conventional antenna structures teach phasing antennas of multiple geometries, such systems are limited by vulnerability of phasing structure response. Further such structures may not meet performance requirements.

Disclosed and claimed herein is a microwave phasing structure configured to reflect microwaves within an operation frequency band, the microwave phasing structure having a planar array of phasing elements supported by a support grid having a first predefined spacing interval. In one embodiment, the microwave phasing structure includes a planar pattern including a plurality of openings having a second predefined spacing interval. In another embodiment, the microwave phasing structure includes a support means for securing said phasing array and said planar pattern substantially in parallel.

Other aspects, features, and techniques of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art in view of the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention.